Humane Society of Washington Co. names new executive director

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – The Humane Society of Washington County, Inc. (HSWC) is pleased to announce that Michael Lausen has accepted the position of Executive Director. Lausen began his duties Feb. 4.

Shannon Cianelli, president of the agency’s board of directors, said, “Michael was a standout candidate for us as he brought an ideal mix of corporate and not-for-profit experience along with expertise in business development and change management.”

Michael arrived to Hagerstown from El Paso, Texas, where he served as Operations Manager for the Humane Society of El Paso. One of his greatest accomplishments was providing opportunities for active duty service members to volunteer from Ft. Bliss. “Many of the soldiers that came to the agency were returning from difficult deployments from Afghanistan or Iraq, and needed a place to help reconnect with the community. The animals helped bridge that gap. It provided the soldiers a safe place to come and the animals someone that cared about them. The end result was so successful that more than 6,500 hours were donated to the agency in 2012, and one particular unit has assigned two of their soldiers Monday thru Friday to come and volunteer that is still in place after my departure.”

Michael is certified in and holds a green belt in Lean Six Sigma from Villanova University. He credits this training to his consistent success in analyzing processes, developing innovative and cost-effective lean solutions that result in improved customer service and increased revenue.

Michael describes his passion for animal services as providing meaning to a days’ work. “There is an immediate reward of personal satisfaction when an adoption takes place.”

In addition to animal service, he has an extensive background in public service. Michael is a former police K-9 officer, volunteer firefighter and military veteran. During his time in the military he was a member of the U.S. Army’s Bomb Squad and worked alongside the U.S. Secret Service as a member of their Technical Security Division protecting the president and other foreign dignitaries.

Michael holds a bachelor’s and MBA where he graduated with highest honors from American InterContinental University and is currently pursuing his PhD from Walden University.

The Humane Society of Washington County, Inc., is located at 13011 Maugansville Road in Hagerstown, Md. Visit our website, www.hswcmd.org, for information on animal related issues, directions to the shelter and information about our programs and services.